Town have again been foiled in a bid to bring in a player on loan. Yesterday the club involved agreed to allow their player to leave, but the man in question, whose identity remains unknown, was not keen on a switch to Portman Road.

Despite the player's lack of enthusiasm for the move, Joe Royle still hopes he might have a change of heart: "I have not given up hope. These things do take time and nothing has been ruled out completely.

"I will speak to him and see what happens from there. I am also still speaking to other people so there is still a chance something can happen before the deadline."

Neil Mellor, reported to be a potential target yesterday, cannot join the Blues even if he were the man Town are after as his registration remains with former loan club West Ham.

The young striker returned to Liverpool last month but as he was on a season-long loan he cannot play for anyone but West Ham this season.

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